Dispensing container



Jan. 31, 1961 E. A. BRAUN 2,

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Dec. 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

I Eric A w 5M0, W M,

Mac/5044 ATTYS.

Jan. 31, 1961 E. A. BRAUN DISPENSING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1, 1958 w m m R mm)" R INVENTOR BY E/v0 A. Brawn VI/m, fllm' I my United States Patent F DISPENSIN G CONTAINER Eric A. Brann, Havertown, Pa., assignor to Ex-Cell-O Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 1, 1958, Ser. No. 777,322

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) The present invention relates generally to packaging and more particularly to containers for comestibles of the gable top type such as those finding especial, though by no means exclusive, utility in the marketing of milk and other dairy products. One form of container of this type that is in wide commercial use is disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,750,095 granted June 12, 1956, on the application of Carroll R. Alden. Such containers are conventionally formed from blanks of paperboard sheet stock which have been precut to shape and impressed with appropriate patterns of score lines. These score lines define a plurality of side panels and upper and lower end extension or closur flaps.

Generally the procedure followed in erecting an individed container is to form a blank into a tube of polygonal, usually substantially square cross section, open at both ends, and then to close the lower end by appropriate in-folding of the extension or closure flaps to define the bottom panel of the container with such flaps held in place by a suitable adhesive. Thus erected, the container is then made fluid-proof by immersion in molten paraffin so that all exposed surfaces, inside and out, are coated. After this, cooling is effected to harden the parafi'in.

The erected and paraffined container is then filled with the desired product such as milk which is introduced therein by way of its open top. After filling the top is closed and sealed. This is done by moving the filled container through an appropriately fashioned tunnel, provided in a filling and closing machine, having converging side walls for urging the top extension flaps inwardly and having heated jaws engageable with the enclosure flaps to press them intimately together and to fuse the paraffin coatings so that all cracks are sealed. For the purpose of supplementing the strength of the closure thus eifected, the closure flaps may be stapled together.

In actual practice the filling and closing operations are accomplished at high speed and thus in an extremely short time. As a result a quantity of air may be trapped and compressed within the container. This trapped and compressed air has been found to contribute to a bulging of the side panels of the container and to contribute to decreased shelf life and to the development of leaks. Side panel bulging increases the cross-sectional area of the container and thus interferes withthe insertion of a plurality of filled containers into handling and shipping cases.

Accordingly it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved container of the general type hereinbefore described wherein provision is made for venting the container to permit the escape of air that might be trapped and compressed therein.

'A more specific object is to provide a vent for the escape of air trapped and compressed Within the container which is opened for that purpose as an incident to the closure of the container yet which is closed and sealed upon completion of the closing operation so that the 2,969,905 Patented Jan. 31, 1961 Still another object lies in the provision of an improved vented container which is free of scrap material.

A related object is to provide a blank of paperboard or the like susceptible of being formed into a container of the foregoing character.

The objects of the invention thus generally set forth, together with the other objects and ancillary advantages, are attained by the construction and arrangement shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container embodying the features of the present invention, the same being shown in fully closed condition.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the container top closure elements in their relative positions as top closure is about to be effected.

fluid-tight character of the filled container is unimpaired...

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 but showing the relative top closure elements in their relative positions just prior to final closing and sealing.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken substantially in the plane of line 44 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a. plan view detailing the inside face of a flat blank from which the illustrative container of the preceding figures is erected.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the inside face of a portion of a fiat blank similar to that of Fig. 5 but show? ing a vent of modified form.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments have been shown in the drawings and will It is" hereinafter be described in considerable detail. to be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawings there shown is an exemplary container 20 embodying the present invention. or other suitable sheet material and is self-sustaining in shape. It is coated or impregnated with a suitable substance, such as paraffin, to render it fluid-tight and capable of holding liquids such as milk. The container includes a tubular body 21 which in the present instance is of substantially cross-section. At its base the body 21 is provided with a suitable bottom closure (not shown) the details of which are of no immediate concern here. The

upper end of the body terminates in what will be recognized by those familiar with this art as the familiar The top end closure has intents of the container for the details of which reference is made to United States Letters Patent No. 2,750,095

granted June 12, 1956, on the application of Carroll R. I -A1den, but which will be referred to hereinafter.

Preferably the container 20 is fashioned from a flat blank 25 of heavy' paper or paperboard stock or other sheet material. The inside face of the blank is illustrated lines the blank 25 is divided into a plurality of panels and areas which are utilized for the walls of the container and closure elements when the container is erected. The central and. major area of the blank 25 becomes the 7 body 21 of the container and is defined by spaced apart transverse score lines 26 and 28 running in substantially Intersecting these lines at spaced intervals therealong 'are a series of perpendicular score lines 29, 30, 31 and 32, which define, in the central and major area of the blank, side'panels 34, 35, 3.6 and 37 together with a fractional.

parallel relation across the face of the blank.

The container 20 is formed from paperboard side panels along the lower transverse score line 28 are a plurality of extensions or bottom closure flaps 39, 40, 41 and 42.

Formed integrally with the upper ends of the side panels but separated therefrom by the transverse score line 26 are a plurality of panel extensions which impart to the top of the container its characteristic gable shape. The areas of the blank which comprise the top panel extensions include a transverse score line generally parallel to the score line 26 and spaced between the latter and the top edge of the blank 25. The areas below the line 44 define the roof panels and end panels of the top closure 22 while the areas above the line 44 define the parts of the central laminar rib 24.

Alternate side panels 34, 36 have respectively connected thereto inclined roof panels 45 and 46. The latter in turn are connected along the line 44 with inner rib panels 48 and 49, and respectively join outer rib panels 50 and 51 along score lines 47 and 47a. The rib panel 50 comprises a tuck-in flap, and the rib panel 51 comprises a fold-over flap. Alternate side panels35 and 37 have connected therewith, along the transverse score line 26, triangular end panels 52 and 54. The end panel 52 is flanked by triangular fold-back panels 55 and 56 connected along converging score lines 58 and 59. The score lines 58 and 59 start at the intersection between the corner score lines 29 and 30 and the transverse score line 26. They converge upwardly and intersect at the transverse score line 44. Inner rib panels 60 and 61 are con nected to the panels 55 and 56 along the score line 44. These rib panels are connected to each other along short vertical score line 62. The latter score line runs from the apex of the end panel 52 to the top edge of the blank. Similarly the end panel 54 adjoins fold-back panels 64 and 65 along converging score lines 66 and 68. The foldback panels 64 and 65 are joined to inner rib panels 69 and 70 along the score line 44. The panels 69 and 70 are connected with each other along score line 71.

The glue flap 38 also has panel extensions 72 and 74 integral therewith. When the container 20 is erected the extensions 72 and 74 respectively overlie the marginal edge portions of the inside faces of the roof panel45 and the ribpanel 48.

To convert the blank 25 into a completed container such as that illustrated in Figs. 1-3, the blank is first folded upon itself into a flat tubular configuration, and the glue flap 38 together with its extensions 72 and 7,4 is adhesively secured to the inside faces of panels 34, 45 and 48 adjacent the marginal edges thereof. The fiat tube is then erected into a tube of substantially square cross section. Then the bottom closure is completed. If it has not been fiuid-proofed earlier, the open container is then coated or impregnated as by dipping it into a paraffin bath. Upon being cooled so as to set the parafiin coating, the container is then filled and its top closure elements are in-folded into gable-like form. This is accomplished by an appropriate filling and closure machine,

parts of which are diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 4.

As there fragmentarily shown the container is passed into a .so-called tunnel having converging walls T and T which respectively engage the roof panels 45 and 46 to urge them inwardly. During the course of such action the tuck-in flap 50 is inserted between'the .in-folded rib panels 61, 69 and 49 reinforcing the rib 24. The closing tunnel also includes a top wall T which is provided with an undersurface that is specially formed to direct the fold-over flap 51 toward its final position as shown in Fig. 1 wherein it is folded down against the outer :face of the rib panel 48. The rib parts are then sealed in closed position by the application of heat and pressure against the outside faces of the rib24. Since the mechanism for effecting these operations forms no part of the present invention it has not been illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The rib structure may be further reinforced as by a staple 75 or by the use of a high-strength thermoplastic adhesive. As described in the aforementioned Alden Patent No. 2,750,095, the illustrative container incorporates a sanitarily protected pouring spout of pitcher-like form and thus incorporated into the top closure of the container 20. It is rendered accessible as the result of partial disassembly of the central laminar rib 24 taking advantage of the angular arrangement of score lines defining the triangular end panels and fold-back panels of the top closure. The pouring spout accordingly comprises the triangular end panel 54, triangular fold-back panels 64 and 65, rib panels 69 and 70, adjacent portions of rib panels 48 and 49, and the adjacent portions of the inclined roof panels 45 and 46. The rib panels 60 and 70 provide the spout when extended with a free upper edge which is traversed by fluid poured from the container 20 atfording good pouring and cut-01f characteristics. It will be apparent that the pouring edge and its adjacent marginal areas remain sealed within the structure of the laminar top rib and hence are sanitarily protected up to the time that the container is opened by the user.

In order to make the pouring spout accessible and yet maintain adequate strength and sanitary protection in the top end closure the laminar rib 24 is divided longitudinally into a fixed portion and a disassemblable portion. It is in the fixed portion that the staple 75 or an equivalent permanent adhesive juncture is provided. As indicated in Fig. 5 the rib panel 48 has a transverse tear line 79 formed therein which extends about half way along the fold line of the tuck-in flap 50. The rib panel 49 has a relatively short tear line 80 which extends from the approximate center of the panel 49 to the top edge of the blank substantially bisecting the fold-over flap 51.

The filling and closing of containers such as that illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinbefore described is accomplished at relatively high speed as the containers progress through the filling and closure machine. Thus, the top closure elements are moved together, the tuck-in flap inserted, and the fold-over flap pressed down and sealed in an exceedingly short interval of time. In so doing the volume included within the panels which form the top closure 22, and above the contents with which the container has been filled, is quickly and sharply reduced. Heretofore, there has resulted the entrapment and compression of a large portion of the air that was contained within such volume.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made for venting the container as an incident to its closure, and the construction and arrangement is such that upon completion of the closing operation the vent means is also closed and sealed so that the fluid-tight character of the filled and sealed container is unimpaired. In carrying out the invention vent means is provided adjacent the top of the container through which trapped air can escape during the closing operation and up to the instant of final sealing of the container. In the present instance the vent means comprises an opening 82 defined by an arcuate cut 83. The cut 83, at its ends, desirably intersects the score line 47 between the rib panel 48 and the tuck-in flap 50. This in addition to providing the vent opening also aifords a tab 84 integral with the tuck-in flap 50 of the exact size and shape of the opening 82.

By reason of the inherent stiffness of the material of which the container is fashioned, it will be apparent that when the tuck-in flap 50 is inserted between the in-folded rib panels 61, 69 and 49, as the top closure is being effected, the tab 84 tends to maintain its original coplanar relationship with the tuck-in flap 50. Thus the tab 84 is projected outwardly from the plane of the inner rib panel 48, thereby opening the vent aperture 82. It is apparent that the vent aperture 82 is opened toward the end of the in-folding operation in the closing of the top of the container at a time when the enclosed volume within the top closure 22 is almost at its minimum.

The closing operation is completed when the fold-over flap 51 is brought down into intimate engagement with the outer side of the rib panel 48. In so doing the foldover flap 51 engages the outer side of the tab 84 and the tab is returned into the opening 82.

It will be noted that the longitudinal extent of the tab 84 is substantially less than the corresponding dimension of the fold-over flap 51. As a result when the fold-over flap is moved into its final position of intimate engagement with the inner rib panel 48 the cut 83 is completely covered. Thus upon application of heat to efiect final sealing of the container the vent opening 82 is sealed shut. As a result the filled and sealed container is fluidtight and its contents is maintained fully sanitary. This condition is assured by the filling of the cut with the paraifin coating upon the final heat sealing operation of the filling and closing machine.

In Fig. 6 there is fragmentarily indicated a modified form of blank 25A having a roof panel 45A, a rib panel 48A and a tuck-in flap 50A, the panels being defined by horizontal score lines 44A and 47A. In this modified blank a vent opening is defined by a cut 83A fashioned to provide a generally triangular tab 84A. As compared with the tab 84 of the previously described illustrative form of the invention the longitudinal dimension of the tab is somewhat less but its transverse dimension, that along the score line 47A is somewhat greater. The operation of this venting means is substantially the same as that previously described. More particularly, the inherent stifiness of the paperboard or other sheet stock of which the blank is formed results in the tendency of the tab 84A to maintain coplanar relationship with the tuckin flap 50A as the latter is in-folded for insertion between the rib panels of the top closure. Because of this, the tab 84A moves out of the plane of the panel 48A providing the vent opening through which can escape the air trapped above the contents of the container. So, too, the tab 84A is restored to its original position in the plane of the rib panel 48A when the fold-over flap of the blank 25A is moved into its final position and the opening provided thereby is sealed shut upon completion of the heat sealing operation of the filling and closing machine through which the container formed from the blank is being passed.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that not only is the fluid-tight and sanitary character of the closed and sealed container unimpaired by venting means provided in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, but in addition there result other particular advantages. Among them is the complete freedom from scrap. This flows from the fact that the tabs 84 and 84A remain attached to the parent material of the blank from which the container is formed. There is therefore no problem of scrap disposal and more particularly there is no scrap or punch-out to foul the carton erecting, filling and closing machines or to fall into the container.

The venting afiorded by the present invention has been found in practice to materially reduce the bulging of the side panels of the container with the result that casing of filled containers is facilitated. Also the venting of the containers has been found to result in longer shelf life of the filled containers and to reduce the number of leaky containers as compared to non-vented containers.

From time to time in the filling of containers of this type with milk, considerable foaming of the milk is experienced, the foam appearing at the top of the liquid contents. The succeeding reduction of volume and the attendant trapping of air upon closing the container has at times heretofore caused some of the foam to be forced between the juxtaposed surfaces of the rib panels that surmount the root, end and fold back panels. Thus on such surfaces there is deposited milk droplets or film entrapped air to escape and therefore the foam is not forced between the rib panels upon closure of the container, with the result that milk droplets or fihn is not deposited on the rib panel surfaces and there is no interference thereby with final sealing.

I claim as my invention:

1. A gable top container of paperboard or the like, comprising, in combination, a tubular body having a bottom closure, 21 pair of opposed roof panels inclined toward each other and overlying said body, a pair of opposed triangular end panels in-folded between said roof panels from the opposite gable ends formed by the latter, two pairs of triangular fold-back panels each pair of which is joined with a respective one of said end panels along fold lines which are substantially in contact with the under sides of said roof panels, a plurality of inner and outer rib panels surmounting said roof panels and said end and fold-back panels and respectively joined thereto along fold lines and defining a laminar top rib, the outer rib panel of one of said roof panels comprising a tuckin fiap, the outer rib panel of said other one of said roof panels comprising a fold-over flap, said tuck-in flap being inserted between the inner side of the inner rib panel of said other roof panel and the juxtaposed sides of the adjacent fold-back panels, the inner rib panel of said one roof panel having an arcuate cut therein intersecting the fold line between such inner rib panel and said tuck-in fiap and defining a tab integral with said tuck-in flap and movable therewith into an open position with respect to such inner rib panel to vent the container as an incident to its closure, said tab being engaged by said fold-over flap and returned thereby into closed position with said fold-over flap fully covering the same upon completion of the closure of the container.

2. A gable top container of paperboard or the like, comprising, in combination, a tubular body having a bottom closure, a pair of opposed roof panels inclined toward each other and overlying said body, inner and outer rib panels surmounting said roof panels and respectively joined thereto along fold lines and defining a laminar top rib, the outer rib panel of one of said roof panels comprising a tuck-in flap, the outer rib panel of said other one of said roof panels comprising a fold-over fiap, said tuck-in flap being inserted against the inner side of the inner rib panel of said other roof panel, the inner rib panel of said one roof panel having a vent therein adjacent the fold line between such inner rib panel and said tuck-in flap, a closure tab for said vent integral with said tuck-in flap, said closure tab moving with said tuck-in flap into an open position with respect to said vent as said tuck-in flap is moved toward its final position during closing of the container to permit air escape from the container, and said tab being moved with said foldover flap into closed position with respect to said vent when said fold-over flap is moved into its final closed position wherein said fold-over flap fully covers the vent and closure tab.

3. A blank of paperboard or the like for a gable top container comprising a central area having score lines thereon defining body side wall and opposed roof panels, said blank having 'pairs of spaced score lines inwardly of the free edges of said roof panels defining inner and outer rib panels surmounting said roof panels, the outer rib panel of one of said roof panels comprising a tuckin flap, the outer rib panel of the other one of said roof panels comprising a fold-over flap, said tuck-in flap being adapted for insertion against the inner side of the inner rib panel of said other roof panel, the inner rib panel of said one roof panel having a cut therein the terminal 2,966,965 i 7 ends of which intersect the fold line between such inner References Cited in the file of this patent rib panel and said tuck-in fiap'and define a tab integral with said tuck-in flap along such fold line, said tab being UNITED STATES PATENTS adapted to move with said tuck-in flap into an open posi- 1,960,149 Gilot May 22, 1934 tion with respect to such inner rib panel upon erection 5 2,106,738 Harrison Feb. 1, 1938 of the blank to vent the container as an incident to its 2,442,161 Bergstein May 25, 1948 closure, said tab being dimensioned with respect to said 2,750,095 Alden June 12, 1956 fold-over flap to be fully covered thereby upon completion of the closure of the container. 

